Clamping device for bicycles.



Patented Mar. 5, I90. J. E. GUNDRY.

GLA'MPING DEVICE FOR BICYCLES.

(Application ed ov' 10, 1900 (No Model.)

tube.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EFICE.

JAMES E. GUNDRY, OF RANKIN, MICHIGAN.

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,389, dated March 5, 1901. Application filed November 10, 1900. Serial No. 36,053. (No model.)

To all whowt it may concern:

' Be it known that 1, JAMES E. GUNDRY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Rankin, in the county. of Genesee and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clamping Devices for Bicycles, of which the followingis a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective telescopic-tube clamp which is especially adapted for use in connection with certain adjustable parts of a bicycle-frame in order that the parts may be readily and conveniently adjusted and after adjustment securely held.

The following specification enters into a detail description of my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to letters of reference thereon, which designate the difierent parts, and what I claim in the construction and combination is more specifically set forth in the appended claim.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the application of the invention in connection with the seat-post and its supporting-tube. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the clamping device. Fig. 4 is a top plan view, the operating-lever being removed.

A and B designate the telescopic-tube sections, which area djustable one within the other, the tube A being shown in the present instance as the seat-post tube of a bicycle frame, while the tube B represents the seatpost and is slidably mounted in the aforesaid The free end of the tube A is split, as usual, in order that it may be contracted or clamped upon the tube B by the device which forms the subject-matter of my invention.

Rigidly attached to or formed integrally with the tube A are ears 0 C, said ears projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the slit or opening a in said tube and are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The outer ends of the ears are slightly enlarged and are provided with keyhole-openings 0, extending transversely through the same, and the outer side of each ear is formed with an inclined surface 0' surrounding the keyholeopening.

D designates a lever, which is used in connection with the ears 0 for the purpose Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2.

of drawing them toward each other. The straight portion (1 of this lever is adapted to pass through the circular portion of the keyhole-openings in the ears 0, and the outer end of said straight portion is provided with a lug (1, adapted to ride upon the inclined surface of oneof the ears 0, while a lug d is formed at the inner end of said straight portion to ride upon the inclined surface of the other ear, it being understood that the lugs are so spaced that they engage the lower part of the inclines 0 when the tube A is expanded to its'normal position, and riding upon said inclines force the ears toward each other, thereby contracting or clamping the tube A upon the tube B. The handle portion of the lever is of suficient length to grasp and operate it.

' The ears 0 are similar in construction, and as each is provided with a keyhole-opening the lever may be inserted from either side.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that Iprovide a simple and effective means for clamping telescopic-tube sections possessing advantages over the ordinary clamp, as it provides for a quick and secure adjustment of the parts.

Though the device is shown as forming the clamping means for the seat-post and its supporting-tube, it may be used forclamping other parts of a bicycle or similar vehicle.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- In a clamping device for bicycles, the combination with the telescopic-tube sections, the outer tube being split, of ears projecting from said outer tube, each ear being provided with a keyhole-shaped opening and its outer side beveled or inclined around said opening; and a lever having a straight portion with a handle at one end of the same, a lug at the outer end of the straight portion adapted to pass through the keyhole-shaped openings in the ears, and a lug at the inner end of said straight portion of the lever, the parts being connected, as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES E. GUNDRY. Witnesses:

W. J. SMITH, WALTER BEEBE. 

